Goa Dog Places Third in PETA’s ‘Cutest Indian Dog Alive’ Contest

Goa – After hundreds of votes and careful deliberation by judges from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, Petu, whose guardian is Minima Peres of Goa, has been named the second runner-up in PETA’s fifth annual Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest. Petu had earlier edged out hundreds of other lovable community dogs to become one of the 10 finalists. PETA created the contest to show that the kindest thing a prospective guardian can do is to adopt a lovable Indian dog from the streets or an animal shelter. The winner of the contest is Rosco, whose guardian is Spandana Raj of Hyderabad, and the first runner-up is Nekti, whose guardian is Ananya Karmakarof Kolkata.

“Petu proves that adopting a dog from the streets or an animal shelter can fill your life with a joy and love that words can’t express”, says PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura. “Although only one dog could win PETA’s contest, all rescued dogs are winners because they have found loving homes.”

“I saw a scared and screaming dog and went close to Petu and started petting him. Just then, I realised that he had injured his left eye”, says Minima. “I carried him and brought him home, and now he’s a part of my family.”

PETA urges prospective guardians to adopt an Indian community dog from the streets or an animal shelter, rather than buying puppies from pet shops. Breeders and pet shops often keep animals in dismal conditions, and because pedigree dogs are bred for certain exaggerated physical traits, such as long ears and drooping backs, many of them suffer from health ailments, including breathing problems, cancer, heart disease, bleeding disorders, skeletal malformations, and eye problems. Indian community dogs are generally healthier and more robust than their purebred cousins.

Petu will receive a certificate and a “100% Desi Dog” doggie T-shirt. All winners will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA’s magazine for members.